Scientists have attacked suggestions the eight Crown research institutes could be merged into as few as three super-CRIs as “a rush of blood to the head” that will add to uncertainty and drive scientists overseas.

Science and Innovation Minister Wayne Mapp confirmed this week that he was considering calls from some CRI chiefs to restructure the sector.

Association of Scientists president James Renwick said changes to core funding would not be announced until the May Budget and would not be rolled out until July, but now the sector faced a complete shake-up.

“This smacks of a rush of blood to the head after a decade and more of inaction.”

Renwick said at the next election Mapp was due to retire and seemed to be driving thinking “rather than any strategic view of what the sector needs”.

Register as a Journalist, Expert or Media Officer below

Latest Blog Post

The Science Media Centre will next month take its popular science video making workshops to Christchurch and Dunedin, offering more researchers the chance to get science video savvy. These Science Media SAVVY workshops focus on giving scientists the tools and skills to communicate their research in 90 second videos aimed at an online audience... >> Read Full Post